Check in at world's 5 oddest hotels

At these unique hotels, the lodging is the attraction

Sarah Moore, Contributing writer

UPDATED 10:42 AM EDT Jul 08, 2013

A comfortable bed, a warm shower and a hot breakfast may sound appealing for a simple night away from home, but basic sleepover accommodations do not seem to cut it anymore for adventure seekers and explorers when on vacation.

Nowadays, sightseers seek the extraordinary to satisfy their acute personalities, and hotel companies have upped the ante to become locations acting as more than just a space to lay your head at night.

The following businesses provide the attraction element of a getaway without having to beyond the hotel for it, and they are recognized around the world for their eccentric details and ambition.

Each experience is sure to satisfy tourists preferring cold or warm climates in resorts located above or below sea level or in expansive or constricting spaces. One even holds fictional significance.

Up first, do you just want to chill on your vacation?

No. 5: Ice Hotel -- Jukkasjärvi, Sweden

Located in the village of Jukkasjärvi, Sweden, warm-blooded individuals can stay at the noted frozen Ice Hotel.

Business is open December to April inside the igloo, which is built from scratch each year. The hotel is essentially a work of art, a sculpture built by architects, artists and designers, and the temperature inside ranges from a chilling -8 to a -5 degrees Celsius.

Guests curl up inside sleeping bags atop beds constructed of snow and ice and are treated to warm juice and a sauna visit when waking. The resort features a gourmet restaurant as well as an ice bar full of icy drinks and wines.

Though the hotel also offers heated rooms in another location, they insist that the experience is not complete without a night in the igloo.

For nature enthusiasts, the next location is a world away from blizzards, found in a climate familiar with thunderstorms and heat ...

No. 4: Jungle Parks Resort -- Wayanad, India

The Jungle Parks Resort, located in the rainforest in Wayanad, India, provides travelers with a firsthand view of clouds, tree tops and wildlife in tree house hotels found 90 feet above ground.

Although the dwellings rest atop strong ficus trees, tourists are welcomed with Western amenities of (cold) showers, sinks and toilets. Ecologically friendly materials were used when building the resort, and kerosene lamps, organic foods and a no-plastic policy is enforced.

On the ground, activities consist of elephant safaris, boating and bird watching, among many more. But weary travelers, beware: One must approach the trees by way of wicker cages, the houses tend to sway in the wind (especially during the rainy season) and leeches live among the resort's limits.

Each tree house costs around $220 per night and includes breakfast, lunch, dinner and tea for two.

After sleeping in the skies, one must stay a night under the waves with aquatic life and a coral-reef backdrop ...

No. 3: Poseidon Undersea Resort -- Fiji

Diving 20,000 leagues under the sea may be a reality only when inside a submarine or the pages of a novel, but sleeping 40 feet under the sea is an actuality in the waters of Fiji.

The Poseidon Undersea Resort is the first of its kind, with 24 underwater suites and one apartment complete with glass walls and an oceanic view like no other.

Under the waves, guests can find a massage studio, a fine-dining restaurant and the world's only underwater wedding chapel. Excursions include submarine diving, scuba diving and walks along the lagoon floor.

Poseidon's introductory seven-day package runs at $30,000 per couple, but includes suites on beachside villas, gourmet meals and access to sports equipment.

From the ocean to the night sky, there are many environments capable of making one feel microscopic, but the next resort does the exact opposite, as sleeping there could become quite claustrophobic ...

No. 2: Asakusa Riverside Hotel -- Tokyo, Japan

Guests of all shapes and sizes, though individuals of smaller stature would be most comfortable, can find budget-friendly prices at the Asakusa Riverside hotel in Tokyo, Japan.

But don't be fooled, because the cost of the sleeping space (about $32 U.S.) pays for a coffin-sized capsule stacked on top of others as if they were washing machines in a laundromat.

Each capsule includes a ceiling-mounted television with attached alarm clock, air settings and a panic button in case of emergency.

When checking in, guests also receive dressing gowns, tooth brushes, towels and razors. All customers share a public bathroom, a ladies-only floor is offered and in true Japanese style, a karaoke pub is located inside the building as well.

At first glance, the next hotel also seems fitting for smaller patrons, but die-hard J.R.R. Tolkien fans consider it a treasure despite their human attributes ...

No. 1: Hobbit Motel -- Waikato, New Zealand

Sleeping in the literal hillside dwellings of the fictional Hobbits from the "Lord of the Rings" saga is now a reality for science fiction and literature enthusiasts in Waikato, New Zealand.

The world's first Hobbit motel is a visual replication of the Hobbit homes shown in the films, (circular windows and arched ceilings galore), and features two units with kitchens, bathrooms and specially designed furniture.

Once inside, the homes are triple the size of the fictional house descriptions, making it easy to comfortably stand up without crouching over. A total of six people can stay in each unit, and the cost is around $180 a night per couple.

While visiting with wizards and going on quests may not be on the itinerary, numerous activities are available in the area such as touring a glow worm cave and watching a humorous stage show about New Zealand culture.

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